Manassas artist shows work at Center for the Arts

Longtime Manassas artist Lu Harris has many of her favorite paintings on display at the Center for the Arts in Old Town Manassas.

The title of her showing is "Joie de Vivre" (Joy of Life) and it will be open to the public until Dec. 17.

Born and raised in California, she lived in Napa Valley, an area famed for its many vineyards, quality wines and world-class viticulture.

Later this would have a profound influence on her work.

Moving to Virginia in 1970, her life changed remarkably … traveling abroad to such places as Italy, France, Spain and the Greek Islands, she absorbed the Old World charm found in the cities and countryside of Europe.

Seeing the vineyards of Italy and France also colored her palette and strengthened the flavor of the wine and grape motif that would become such an important part of her art imagery.

In 1997, she and her late husband founded the Opera House Gourmet in Old Town. Her artistic flair came through in the design of the interior, the creation of "Bacchus as the logo," and the shop's wine and grape motif, which blended well with their vintage antiques. Her grape imagery showed well there.

Harris then transposed the charm of the small quaint shops of Europe into her studio/gallery "The Studio of Opera Alley," which she operated in Old Town for six years. While there she was commissioned by Afton Mountain Vineyards to design artwork for its Vintage 2003 "Sweet Afton" and other Afton Mountain publications.

Currently she works for an art publishing company, is pursuing exhibitions at Virginia vineyards and continues to enter juried shows in Alexandria, where she has entered awarding-winning pastels. She is also available for private commissions.

Harris said she mostly enjoys painting street scenes and florals.

"Painting pastels or mixed media is my passion … it's my way of expressing myself," said Harris.

Harris now paints out of her home in Manassas.

"If the expressive and conceptual qualities of color, line and form capture your senses as you view my work, then I have achieved my goal, which is to share with you my passion in art," Harris said.

She also does portraits of grandchildren and wedding ceremonies and teaches semi-private art classes for children. She had a one-person art show at the Winery at La Grange in Haymarket in September 2008 and still has two pieces currently on exhibition there.

Her painting of "Sunflower Memories" was chosen for the cover of the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce directory. She is often called upon to judge art shows.

"Such things as a rendering of a figure, whether it is a friend or family, or simply a vase of flowers, a storefront, a patio with chairs captured in a moment in Paris, all of which brings joy to me. I love my work," Harris said.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.<p>